Why drivers are in for Perth tyre deg 'surprise'

Drivers will be in for a “big surprise” regarding tyre degradation after Saturday’s night race, says Nick Percat.

Wanneroo Raceway will host just its second night event in its 43-round ATCC/Supercars history.

The Perth venue’s last round in 2019 was headlined by two night races.

In 2022, drivers will complete just one night race on Saturday night, followed by two sprints in Sunday sunshine.

Cooler conditions under lights will have a greater impact on tyre degradation, or the lack thereof.

When the sun is up, drivers will face a greater challenge saving tyres on the abrasive surface.

A similar challenge was presented to drivers in Sydney, albeit on a mixed compound weekend affected by wet weather.

Drivers completed a 300km race on the Saturday night in Sydney, before turning up for a day race on Sunday.

“It’ll be a lot different to 2019 in Perth, for obvious reasons,” Percat told Supercars.com.

“When you look at Sydney Motorsport Park, there was a big difference in night versus day.

“At night, it feels like you can just drive the car as hard as you want for the whole stint, and not pay a big price.

“Both tracks have high deg, so I expect it will be similar in Perth.”

Drivers will conduct the entire Perth weekend solely on the Dunlop Soft tyre compound.

It marks the first round in 2022 to be run on the Soft tyre; it made its first appearance at the last round in Melbourne.

However, the Albert Park weekend was a mixed compound event, with both Soft and Hard tyres in use.

The Hard tyre did the bulk of the running in Melbourne, with Softs falling away dramatically in the races.

To that extent, Perth will be the Soft’s biggest test so far this season.

The Super Soft was previously used at the traditionally low-degradation Symmons Plains.

Saturday practice running will offer the only chance for drivers to learn the Softs on what may be a changed Perth surface.

The circuit was resurfaced in 2019; however, three years of wear, along with sandy surrounds, will have almost certainly affected the surfaced.

Long runs in practice, according to Percat, will be crucial before drivers are forced to run the tyres in anger in Sunday’s dual sprints.

“The nights in Perth are generally cool, so the track will be gripped up and fast,” Percat said.

“The deg probably won’t show its face until halfway through the first Sunday race.

“We’ll be in for a big surprise, so maximising practice running will be important.”

Cars will hit the track for Practice 1 on Saturday ahead of the evening Race 10.